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Application Note
Table of Contents
2 Introduction 2 Measuring a Filter 3 Error Correction for Accurate Passband Measurements 4 Swept-Power Amplifier Measurements 5 Evaluating AM-to-PM Conversion
Introduction
The network analyzer is used for a variety of device and component characterization tasks in both laboratory and production environments. This highly accurate instrument can evaluate both active and passive components for measurements of a filter and amplifier, as will be demonstrated in this application note. With the addition of time-domain capability, a network analyzer can also gate out unwanted responses during measurements, leaving only the desired information. Agilent Technologies offers a wide range of RF and microwave network analyzers for measurements from DC to 110 GHz. These instruments are available with a wide range of options and test sets to simplify measurements in standalone and automatic-test-equipment (ATE) setups. Often, both the magnitude and phase behavior of a component can be critical to the performance of a communications system. A vector network analyzer can provide information on a wide range of these devices, from active devices such as amplifiers and transistors, to passive devices such as capacitors and filters. This application note illustrates swept-frequency measurements on an RF filter, and swept-power measurements on a communications-band amplifier. The amplifier is typical of those used in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service.
Measuring a Filter
Complete characterization of filters is typically achieved with swept-frequency measurements. Shown in Figure 1 are the frequency responses of a filter. On the left and bottom we see the transmission response in log magnitude format, and on the right we see the reflection response (return loss). The most commonly measured filter characteristics are insertion loss and bandwidth, shown on the lower plot with an expanded vertical scale. Another common measured parameter is out-of-band rejection. This is a measure of how well a filter passes signals within its bandwidth while simultaneously rejecting signals well outside that same bandwidth. A test systems dynamic range generally determines how well it can evaluate this characteristic.
CH1S11 log MAG 5 dB/ REF 0 dB
CH1S21
log MAG
10 dB/ REF 0 dB
Cor
69.1 dB
Stopband rejection
CENTER 200.000 MHz START .300 000 MHz STOP 400.000 000 MHz
Cor CH1 S21 log MAG 1 dB/ REF 0 dB
Return loss
1
m1: 4.000 000 GHz -0.16 dB m2-ref: 2.145 234 GHz 0.00 dB
Insertion loss
Cor
ref
x2 1
The return loss plot is typical of passive reflective filters, showing high reflection (near 0 dB) in the stopbands, and good impedance matching in the passband. A different type of filter, known as an absorptive filter, tends to be well matched in both the stopband and passband, providing a good match over a broad frequency range.
Cor
Compression region
CH1 S21
1og MAG
1 dB/ REF 32 dB
C2
1-dB compression: input power resulting in 1-dB drop in gain Ratioed measurement Output power available (non-ratioed measurement)
CW 902.7 MHz
Figure 4. 1-dB Compression In this display, the flat part of the trace is the linear, small-signal region of operation, while the part of the trace with a negative slope corresponds to compression at higher input power levels. For the example amplifier under test, 1-dB compression occurs at +12.3 dBm of input power, when measured at a fixed CW frequency of 902.7 MHz. Since it is often useful to know the output power corresponding to the 1-dB compression point, the dual-channel capability of most network analyzers can be employed to simultaneously show normalized gain and absolute power. Display markers can read out both the input power and output power where 1-dB compression occurs. Alternatively, the gain of the amplifier at the 1-dB compression point can simply be added to the 1-dB compression input power to compute the corresponding output power. In Figure 4, the output power at the 1-dB compression point is 12.3 dBm + 31.0 dB = 43.3 dBm. In these types of compression tests, the power-sweep range must be large enough to drive the amplifier under test from its linear region of operation to its region of compression. Modern network analyzers typically provide power sweeps with 15 to 20 dB of range, which is great enough to drive most amplifiers into compression. It is also very important to sufficiently attenuate the output of high-power amplifiers not only to prevent damage to the network analyzers receiver, but also to keep power levels low enough to avoid receiver compression.
2 1
Use transmission setup with a power sweep Display phase of S21 AM - PM = 0.86 deg/dB at 4.5 dBm input power
2 1 1 Start -10.00 dBm Start -10.00 dBm CW 900.000 MHz CW 900.000 MHz Stop 0.00 dBm Stop 0.00 dBm
Figure 5. AM-to-PM Conversion AM-to-PM conversion is critical in systems based on phase modulation, such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), since phase distortion can cause signal degradation in analog systems and increased bit-error rate (BER) in digital systems. AM-to-PM conversion is directly related to BER, and measurements of AM-to-PM conversion can help provide insight into the cause of increased BER in a given system. The measurement complements BER measurements, which in themselves do not provide any real insight into the phenomenon causing the bit errors. AM-to-PM conversion is usually defined as the change in output phase for a 1-dB increment in the input power to an amplifier, expressed in degrees/dB. An ideal amplifier would have no interaction between its phase response and the level of the input signal. AM-to-PM conversion can be measured with a power sweep on a vector network analyzer (Figure 5). The test data is displayed as the phase of forward transmission (S21) versus power. The AM-to-PM conversion for a DUT can be computed by using a small increment of the amplitude (such as 1 dB) centered at a particular power level, and noting the change in phase. The changes in amplitude and phase can be easily measured with trace markers. Dividing the phase change by the amplitude change yields the AM-to-PM conversion. In Figure 5, AM-to-PM conversion is 0.86 degrees/dB, centered at an input power of 4.5 dBm and an output power of 16.0 dBm
Suggested Reading
Understanding the Fundamental Principles of Vector Network Analysis, Application Note 1287-1. Exploring the Architectures of Network Analyzers, Application Note 1287-2. Applying Error Correction to Network Analyzer Measurements, Application Note 1287-3.
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Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change without notice. Copyright 1997, 2000 Agilent Technologies Printed in U.S.A. 8/00 5965-7710E